Men's Cross Country Looks To Rebound At Regionals
11/13/2003 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Nov. 13, 2003
By Josh Magill
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The men's cross country team feels like it faltered two weeks ago at the Missouri Valley Conference meet with a fourth-place finish, but what the squad reacts this Saturday at the 2003 NCAA Midwest Regional meet is more important to head coach Matt McClelland.
"I'm just anxious to see how they come back after the meet that they had," McClelland said. "We'll see what happens. I don't if this meet will help us or hurt us. I'm just looking forward to seeing how they bounce back."
The Salukis, still ranked #12 in the Midwest Region need to finish as one of the top two teams at the regional meet to automatically qualify for the national championships. That task could prove daunting as SIU will run its first 10-kilometer run of the season at the regionals.
"Ten kilometers is a long way," McClelland said. "This is the first time we'll run that far, and that extra 2K isn't easy when you've already run eight-kilometers. They just have to run the same way they've run all season."
One problem the Salukis are ready to deal with is the absence of junior Eli Baker, who was SIU's #1 runner at the beginning of the season. A nagging stress fracture to Baker's left leg will keep him from participating for the second straight event.
"That is a little bit of a setback, but I think it will all work out," McClelland said.
The 2003 NCAA Midwest Regional meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla. The meet will be held on the campus of Oklahoma State University. Results can be found at www.ncaasports.com or www.SIUSalukis.com.
Players Mentioned
